In the last few years, many Bhutanese youth have worked as loaders in companies and Mini Dry Ports in the southern districts. It was to fill the labour shortage. But after the border reopening last year, the Bhutanese youth say many shops and agents are recruiting day workers from across the border. They say this is affecting their income.
A group of youth came to Gelephu during the pandemic to work as loaders. From loading essential and non-essential goods to bricks and cement, they have done it all.
“I am worried because I had been relying on this work for my family’s livelihood. If the company and agent owners keep on recruiting Indian labourers, then it will impact our livelihood,” said Prem Lal Mai Maidaley, a loader.
“We used to work in different places during the time of lockdown but now our group works here. Here, they have not recruited Indian labourers but in other places, people are recruiting Indian labourers because it is cheap. There is not much work available for us,” said Bishnu Ghimray, another loader.
“We have worked during the time of lockdown for contractors and businessmen when there was a labour shortage. But now they are recruiting Indian labourers and there are limited opportunities for us. We are worried whether we will get work or not as we have to look after our family,” said Bumi Raj Rai, a loader.
Some of the cement agent owners and brick suppliers in Gelephu said owing to the cheap wage rate, they prefer day workers from across the border.
To load a bag of cement, the Bhutanese workers charge about Nu 50 while agents and shops have to give only about Nu 20 to Indian labourers.
Moreover, the owners said there are not enough Bhutanese workers.
They added that they have sought approval from the erstwhile Regional Labour office in Gelephu to employ day workers from across the border.
“Bhutanese prefer work that earns more money and is less laborious. They want to earn about Nu 500 to 800 a day. But for Indian labourers, they work to earn about Nu 200 to 300 in a day,” said Singey Dorji, the Owner of Karma Cement Agent.
“Bhutanese workers are not working at a decreased rate. That’s why we are recruiting Indian labourers,” said Passang, the Owner of ST Enterprise.
According to the erstwhile Labour office, they have approved day workers from across the border as per the occupational need in absence of Bhutanese workers.
And those who require workers need to apply for approval from the office. The office will then assess the requirement and approve accordingly.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Tshering Zam
